Can I use Power4Patriots if I’m a older person / single woman / or not very handy?
Video #6 from the Top 10 Questions From Customers Considering or Implementing Power4Patriots
Scroll down for transcript.
Allen: Alright, let’s move to question number 6 and we do get this from a variety of folks who are considering Power4Patriots. So the question is, I’m an older person or a single woman or not very handy (those seem to be the 3 most frequent folks who are asking us this question) and they are wondering, hey, can I actually build this as it’s laid out in Power4Patriots?
Kriss: I think they absolutely can. Everything in life is about effort and I know a lot of people–we taught 5th graders to assemble solar panels and there were some 5th graders who were extremely proficient at it and there were some 5th graders who didn’t want anything to do with it. And really the difference was, nobody knew anything about it when we started the class but at the end of it – it was really the kids who worked the hardest on it and who had the desire to learn about it. So anybody can do this ,you just have to go through the materials, watch the video and you may have to mess up a couple of solar cells, you’re probably going to break a couple, you’re probably going to make a mess out a little bit solder but I don’t think there’s anything too complicated about this, when you kind of take it one step at a time.
Allen: Okay.
Kriss: And my wife and I just got back from Trinidad a few days ago and we were teaching some of the folks there about solar power. And they had no idea about how solar works or anything and just after 2 days they were extremely proficient, at connecting the system and even troubleshooting the system. I didn’t think we’d get that far in 2 days and by the end of it they could tell me what was wrong with the system, it was connected wrong or that there was just an issue with some of the wires, which happened to be, so. I think anybody can do this. It’s just about what are, you going get out what you putting in. so if you put full of the effort and take the time to learn, anybody can do it.
Allen: Whoa, that’s impressive. So you’ve taught 5th graders how to assemble and build a solar system?
Kriss: Yes, and we’ve actually had them connect solar panels and build little model houses with solar, passive solar and panels of the wind and everything on it.
Allen: Whoa.
Kriss: You know, if you enjoy this type of stuff, then I think you are going to have a great time with it and learn a ton, absolutely I would say anybody can do it.
Allen: Okay. That’s great. We’ve also heard from some customers who admit they are, you know that they have 5 thumbs [laughs] and that they have been able to get either relatives or handy men to help them with the project. And that’s excellent, that’s a great way to go. And another option of course is, if you decide to go that way, is to get a professional to help you as well, if you’re going that level. so…
Kriss: Excellent.
Allen: It’s a great answer.
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Leave your comments below, we’d love to hear from you!
Watch the next video in the series: Will Power4Patriots work for me if I have a lot of shade on my property and not a lot of wind?
Frank, could you tell me where I can possibly buy ready assembled materials in a kit form for the solar panels. This would greatly help time wise. Thanks!
There are many online store that will ship them to you. I know and trust the owner of spheralsolar.com.
I am 80 years old. I am very healthy and take no meds. However,I cannot reach high, climb, do stairs, nor lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. As long as I am careful. i have no pain and can take good care of myself with no help. However, I do not believe I can do any solar installation without help. My son is a disabled vet. He powered up his whole home. He installed isolar panel on my bedroom roof and grounded it He hooked it up to 4 solar batterties in2 battery boxes with an invertor between them. It works well to power up a small Eden Pure heater for about 6 hours. Them it starts beeping. I think I need 1 or 2 more solar panels. My son is no longer able to help me. Because he did all the work gratis, what i now have cost only $2200 including the heater, small A/c,hot plate, and small fridge. I have only $2500 left in my emergency savings, and my income is $2500 a month. Is ther any hope for me?Bobbie Sena
I have a problem. I live in an apartment, and there is no way I could put solar panels on the property. This would make them a fixture and then the property owner could claim them as a part of the property. Is there any way to put them on the right of way where the power lines run, and then run the power into my apartment? Please help me with this.
Jim,
I cannot recommend installing solar panels on your landlord’s property *or* the city/state’s property without their express, written permission.
I’m concerned due to the fact my town requires a qualified electrician tech, not just an electrician to get a permit to install solar in my town. I have called around and no one is willing to put in a system I made, only the ones they sell. What do I do?
You need to talk to someone that knows your local laws. I would be very surprised if the laws apply to folks who are not tying their solar panels back into the grid.
Frank,
I am very hard of hearing. I need captions with the videos to be of any help. Some of the videos need more light so that the details can be observed.
I love the idea of DIY. I am hoping that there are drawings and discriptions that can be used to accomplish the objectives. I am a member of a non profit organization that would like to be able to assist folks on welfare. Better themselves and improve their standards of living. I assume that was your objective in Trinidad.
Truly yours,
Vance Wells
please send me information as to cost.
Looks likes something that I would like to have for my home.
Gordon
Allen: I was wondering; is there’s any way to connect fiber optics to this system. If so, it would definitely increase the capabilities of the system to do more.
Dear Mr. Bates:
I had a solar company come to my house. I was told the trees in neighbors’ yards cause too much shade so that a solar PV system is not viable. Thank you for the CD, but I can not use it. Ben
I live in SW Washington with a lot of rain not many sunny days! Is solar still a good viable option with all these rain clouds overhead not letting too much sunshine coming through? Please advise.
Thanks,
Mark
Once a backpacker, prepardness freak, organic gardner, user of hand or power tools & creative home & gardner designer. Now due to accidents & arthritis, still creative and semi active but haven’t the ability to do all by myself. Is there a community where people are accepted for what they can do and all help each other? I have lived 8 yrs in a 12 X 16 home and therefore don’t expect a weathy community but would like to know people who share solar, organic, prepardness, survival, herbal healing, simple/natural living.
All the advice in the world doesn’t help if a person has no one to help in a crisis.
i CAN HELP WITH HERB HEALING, SURVIVAL, AND SIMPLE/NATURAL LIVING.
there is no such thing as an “expert”-if someone considers themselves an expert it just means a know it all- the answer to how much it will cost was worthless from $50 to $50,000-just more advertising saying how great it is but no real answers
Very bad video.couldn’t understand a word that was said.
It is good to know that people my age 68 years young can get this done.
Jettie
I”m actually in all three categories above. So I guess I’ll have to ask somebody from among my relatives to do it for me. Fortunately, no lack of relatives!
Does the equipment used need to be UL approved?
Michael Pierce
My question is: Efficiency. How is a solar power system going to be cost effective when I hear about batteries blowing up.
Does the wattage output from a solar panel get smaller after a couple of years?
How much does it cost every year to maintain the battery bank and solar panals ?
Can the solar panels get damaged from the weather and hail storms ,wind?
My concern is important because I do not see alot of people rushing out and buying a solar power system because of the above questions.
Thank you
I live in a mobile home in a park or community. I have 2 roofs that face South and a saddle between the 2 roofs that is close to being flat with enough rise for rain run off and it faces East, would I be better off to slowly build to cover these areas than to try and build it all at once? If so, what more will I need? It’s almost 2200 sq. ft. Thanks
I would like to know if we have the knowledge to build solar panels why we can not tie them into the utility grid. You must have done the research to find out why homemade solar panels cannot be used in a grid-tied system.
Edward,
I suppose, in theory you *could* have your homemade panels approved for use in the grid, but I think the cost of getting certified by UL would far outweigh any savings of building your own.
we live in a condo gated community…can’t have solar outside..could we have a unit small enough for a widow?
thanks phyllis
So far #4-6 video’s have not worked to my satsifaction I commented yesterday and today it is not any better even if I try the link the result is the same.Broken sentences. Any suggestions?
I’m sorry you are having trouble. Your internet speed and computer processing speed greatly affect your ability to watch videos online. You might try on our YouTube Channel.
I had a question: Would the P4P Small or large Grid still work if there is a magnetic Pulse bomb set off in our atmosphere? Since everything now days runs off of magnetic chips, I believe this is one way the terrorists will cripple the U.S.
We rainwater harvest using our metal roof. We are wanting to install an array on our roof but are concerned about the contamination that may be part of the solar panels or necessary components in installation from the roof area. Any advice on where to go for water quality related sources involving making solar part of our grid?
what about buying materials do you guys supply it I’mlooking for the good stuff
I can hardly wait to get started. Am looking forward to a lot more warmth in this old house.
Videos are great, but how do you attatch to grid?
Virgil,
You can find out how to store extra energy on our techinical FAQ : http://www.power4patriots.com/support_technical.php